Hi: Live in an old house that has exterior metal air vent pipe--it exits the crawl space through foundation blocks (above ground), runs up the clapboard, through the roof eave. A wood cabinet has been built over that portion of the house, so now there is no easy access to working with the pipe. Problem is that the pipe has rusted out at one section--unfortunately inside the rather cramped water heater cabinet.

I'm wondering if there is some way to repair the pipe without entirely replacing it, like a flexible sleeve run through the pipe from the top, etc. Admittedly years ago I repaired it using duct tape--

I hate to think I'd have to disassemble the cabinet to replace the pipe.

Thanks. Sandi

Hi: Live in an old house that has exterior metal air vent pipe--it exits the crawl space through foundation blocks (above ground), runs up the clapboard, through the roof eave. A wood cabinet has been built over that portion of the house, so now there is no easy access to working with the pipe. Problem is that the pipe has rusted out at one section--unfortunately inside the rather cramped water heater cabinet.

I'm wondering if there is some way to repair the pipe without entirely replacing it, like a flexible sleeve run through the pipe from the top, etc. Admittedly years ago I repaired it using duct tape--

I hate to think I'd have to disassemble the cabinet to replace the pipe.

Thanks. Sandi

Hi Sandi,

Is the ruptured pipe cast iron? How large is the opening? Where is it located on the pipe? Top, bottom or side? There is a method of "sleeving" but that's used to sleeve sewers from the house to the street. You would have to check to see if they would do a job as small as yours. If I cauld come up with something to patch the pipe could you get to it? Regards, Tom